GDT: Game # 10. Kraken visit the Oilers 6:30 PT

[foshizzle]

They don't. Their issue is the lack of depth scoring. McDavid and Draisaitl can honestly carry the Oilers to the playoffs but once there, the lack of that depth and D really shows up.

Oilers fan here. In the past, you would have been correct. The Oilers previous GM handcuffed this team with bad contracts and bad trades. The cap situation was so bad they couldn't trade for players at the trade deadline to support a playoff run. Further to that, t hey had to go to Europe or PTOs for their 3rd and 4th line. The defense wasn't very mobile and terrible at moving the puck.

The offseason just gone, the Oilers finally had cap space to build around McDavid and Draisaitl. They added Hyman to play with McDavid allowing Hopkins to move down to the second line so Draisaitl can have a winger. Puljujarvi is playing up to his draft pick status. They Built a whole new third line by adding Foegele and Ryan (that line has 6 goals in 7 games). The Oilers finally have forward depth.

On defense they rebuilt it to be a more mobile defense that can get the puck up to the forwards (wasn't happening last year unless Connor or Leon went deep into the D zone and literally carried the puck out). You can see it in the quick transition game the team plays now.

The Powerplay is just ridiculous. They have no structure. As the coach says "he just lets them play pond hockey". They have 3 elite powerplay players on their first unit- Leon, Connor, and Hopkins. Add Hyman and Barrie (leading D point getter last season) and let their skills take over. You'll notice that no player has a set position and all 3 forwards roam about the zone. All 3 can shoot and pass.

For those that were blown away by McDavid tonight- he had a rare off night. You should see him on any other day- just ridiculous what the guy can do with his speed and hands. He had 105 points last year in 56 games. Weird thing is that the refs absolutely will not call infractions against him. Teams are allowed to trip, hold, tackle him and he gets no calls. In 8 straight playoff games- he hasn't drawn a single penalty. Every shift he faces slashes, holds, etc- not a single call. Theory is that the NHL wants balance- and you cant have the Oilers have 6-8 PPs a game because teams can't contain him.

Anyways- thanks for reading- looking forward to our games in the future. Please do me a favour and pound on the Flames and Canucks whenever you can!! Good luck!

 

[CascadiaPenguin]

Oilers fan here. In the past, you would have been correct. The Oilers previous GM handcuffed this team with bad contracts and bad trades. The cap situation was so bad they couldn't trade for players at the trade deadline to support a playoff run. Further to that, t hey had to go to Europe or PTOs for their 3rd and 4th line. The defense wasn't very mobile and terrible at moving the puck.

The offseason just gone, the Oilers finally had cap space to build around McDavid and Draisaitl. They added Hyman to play with McDavid allowing Hopkins to move down to the second line so Draisaitl can have a winger. Puljujarvi is playing up to his draft pick status. They Built a whole new third line by adding Foegele and Ryan (that line has 6 goals in 7 games). The Oilers finally have forward depth.

On defense they rebuilt it to be a more mobile defense that can get the puck up to the forwards (wasn't happening last year unless Connor or Leon went deep into the D zone and literally carried the puck out). You can see it in the quick transition game the team plays now.

The Powerplay is just ridiculous. They have no structure. As the coach says "he just lets them play pond hockey". They have 3 elite powerplay players on their first unit- Leon, Connor, and Hopkins. Add Hyman and Barrie (leading D point getter last season) and let their skills take over. You'll notice that no player has a set position and all 3 forwards roam about the zone. All 3 can shoot and pass.

For those that were blown away by McDavid tonight- he had a rare off night. You should see him on any other day- just ridiculous what the guy can do with his speed and hands. He had 105 points last year in 56 games. Weird thing is that the refs absolutely will not call infractions against him. Teams are allowed to trip, hold, tackle him and he gets no calls. In 8 straight playoff games- he hasn't drawn a single penalty. Every shift he faces slashes, holds, etc- not a single call. Theory is that the NHL wants balance- and you cant have the Oilers have 6-8 PPs a game because teams can't contain him.

Anyways- thanks for reading- looking forward to our games in the future. Please do me a favour and pound on the Flames and Canucks whenever you can!! Good luck!

As a long time Penguin fan, now displaced and new Kraken STH, I hear and agree with you and the abuse McDavid suffers. Not quite as obscene as what Lemieux dealt with in his era, but still ridiculous and a reminder of how "bush" the NHL really is, particularly in terms of refereeing and enforcement.

 

[foshizzle]

As a long time Penguin fan, now displaced and new Kraken STH, I hear and agree with you and the abuse McDavid suffers. Not quite as obscene as what Lemieux dealt with in his era, but still ridiculous and a reminder of how "bush" the NHL really is, particularly in terms of refereeing and enforcement.

Oh I remember Mario dragging 3 players skating down the ice with him. “Garage league” was the correct term. I tuned in to watch Mario play- not to watch him be clutched and grabbed before he even got the puck. This is/was Bettman’s NHL. He,philosophically, doesn’t believe in star players being better than anyone else (needs to force league parity).

 

[kihei]

The only sane thing to do is be patient and build through the draft. There is no other realistic option. No way are we going to get rich quick, and no way do we want to ransom the future to get a worse draft pick in the spring.

We do not want to labour ourselves with a cumbersome contract to get a free agent just for a short term improvement on offense either.

Sure, trade current players to improve the team but don't assume teams will give us 1st or 2nd round draft choices in return.

We have to believe Francis will draft us into contention. After his first draft, I'm not 100% sure about that, but let's hope.

 

[Scomerica]

I am curious to see if they will play this hard all year. I feel like they've all been grinding but at times luck/certain moments just haven't got their way whether it be missed shots or losing a soft goal.

I am concerned if we keep losing that heads start to go down along with confidence.

On the plus side, we won't be as hated as Vegas as we'll be 'paying our dues' although there is always haters, especially when we do get good.

 

[kihei]

I am curious to see if they will play this hard all year. I feel like they've all been grinding but at times luck/certain moments just haven't got their way whether it be missed shots or losing a soft goal.

I am concerned if we keep losing that heads start to go down along with confidence.

On the plus side, we won't be as hated as Vegas as we'll be 'paying our dues' although there is always haters, especially when we do get good.

That's a really interesting point. Whatever the players shortcomings, lack of trying isn't one of them. I especially don't want to see a tanking attitude develop on the team or in the fanbase which I believe is terrible for a team and maybe even poison for a new franchise. To begin in the first season by courting negative outcomes sets the worst benchmark possible. So I hope our guys have the character to continue to play hard, and hopefully some of them will improve substantially enough to help us moving forward.

 

[Fistfullofbeer]

Yeah. I am not sold that we make that many deadline deals. Maybe move and excess D-man but I don't know if it is going to be Gio. Maybe a depth forward too. But that is about it.

 

[Scomerica]

Yeah. I am not sold that we make that many deadline deals. Maybe move and excess D-man but I don't know if it is going to be Gio. Maybe a depth forward too. But that is about it.

Would they move Gio given they made him captain? Feel like from a marketing perspective they wouldn't. Probably a lot of people bought jerseys with his name due to him being captain.

 

[jbron]

Hakstol really has the team playing. They play with desire and effort. Their level of compete is good. As many have stated the issue really is
lack of scoring. Prior to the expansion draft most pundits knew this was going to be an issue based on the players left unprotective. GMRF
went very conservative in his selections and lack of trades. The team may be better in the extended future, but really they don't have any players to move to gain a top 6 scorer this season and possibly next. Just which players on the team would be sought after at the trade deadline
that GMRF would move? At best draft picks would be offered for any traded player. The Kraken prospect pool is week as a new franchise. It doesn't help that they don't really have a lot of other draft picks moving forward. They most likely will need to dip into future free agency to fix their offensive woes. GMRF is running it like a traditional new franchise. Conservatively build from the goal out and add through the draft. This will take time with a lot of painful losses.

 

[wraparound]

rather the slow & sustainable build through the draft than mortgaging the future for instant relevance like Vegas. fingers crossed for that draft lottery win

 

[Scomerica]

rather the slow & sustainable build through the draft than mortgaging the future for instant relevance like Vegas. fingers crossed for that draft lottery win

I think that's what is ultimately what the team are doing, building for the long haul. The argument on the main forum is that GMRF botched the expansion draft and could have got better talent, took more risks and acquired more picks. Basically missed opportunities with what was available. I'm guessing there is always reasons for doing what they do. Dumping Barre-Boulet isn't looking too clever just now. Playing well at Tampa

 

[HoseEmDown]

Sorry but i forsee quite alot of movement away at the deadline including possibly....Eberle, Yanni, Johannson, Gio....maybe even Driedger....need one maybe two more firsts...
Its to early to start spending assets on free agents.
Build through the draft this year and next.
This year our own first is likely to be anywhere from 4 to 7th.

There's no way they're trading Eberle or Gourde this year. Unless someone offers them a deal like Detroit got for Tatar I just can't see it. Plus if you trade those guys you're signaling you don't plan on competing right away. If that was the case they should have done the ED differently. Johansson, Giordano, Sheahan should be available for sure. Maybe Donato and then you try to bring him back next season. Driedger needs to play before you give up on him.

I think an issue has been they were expecting much more from guys like Geekie and Appleton and haven't gotten much. Bastian I see as a 4th line banger not a scorer so his play is fine. The youth the were hoping to become their future top 6 just isn't showing it. As for trades no need to make any right now, keep seeing how the team plays as the season goes along. But if looking out retain on Giordano and hope to get 2nd + prospect, Johansson 4th a 3rd if lucky, Sheahan and Donato the same. I would talk to San Jose about Lebanc. He doesn't play the style Hakstol is playing but is a PP specialist, you can afford his contract and maybe San Jose wants out of the deal. Offer one of Soucy, Lauzon or Fluery for him. Mid 20's forward for mid 20's D type deal.

 

[Ray Martyniuk]

Don't want to see high draft picks go, as we are likely a lottery team for a while.

Seattle should not be trading draft choices if anything they should be acquiring more...The Kraken missed McCann big time! Not sure I would have played Soucy over Fleury but what the heck its the coaches call

 

[Ray Martyniuk]

I think that's what is ultimately what the team are doing, building for the long haul. The argument on the main forum is that GMRF botched the expansion draft and could have got better talent, took more risks and acquired more picks. Basically missed opportunities with what was available. I'm guessing there is always reasons for doing what they do. Dumping Barre-Boulet isn't looking too clever just now. Playing well at Tampa

I think GM Francis did a helluva job in the Expansion draft! I might have drafted younger players but that doesn't mean they would have been a better team going forward...as far as Barre-Boulet he didn't show a whole lot but hey he wasn't given too much time before he was back on the waiver wire

 

[Gniwder]

Would they move Gio given they made him captain? Feel like from a marketing perspective they wouldn't. Probably a lot of people bought jerseys with his name due to him being captain.

Gio is 38, he's not gonna last much longer in the league anyways. You take what you can get from an aging vet close to retirement. Plus he can always be re-signed in free agency, can't imagine too many teams chasing after him.

Beniers will most likely sign his ELC after the college season(to burn a year off his contract) and might even play a couple of games at the end of the season.

He should be in the lineup starting next season(the team will look quite different next year no matter how this season plays out) and the team can decide if they'll start him on the wing or imediatly plays him at center.

I don't think it'll look all that much different, unless Francis snags Forsberg. Obvious he doesn't want Domi. Gio, Jarnkrok, Sheahan and MoJo are gone but they get replaced by similar or worse (for Gio) players. Even with Beniers in the lineup, the level of play won't change much. He's a solid top 6 prospect but not a generational talent.

I think GM Francis did a helluva job in the Expansion draft! I might have drafted younger players but that doesn't mean they would have been a better team going forward...as far as Barre-Boulet he didn't show a whole lot but hey he wasn't given too much time before he was back on the waiver wire

Tarasenko and Domi are the 2 big misses. I wanted both high risk injured players.

That probably would've meant not signing Grubauer though, but I don't think Vanecek would've been a huge downgrade.

 

[NiagaraKraken]

Draisaitl what a player. 3rd overall pick, it takes time to get these guys. I think Seattle is playing really well imo. Just can’t score like we all thought would be the problem. Not enough finishers yet, unfortunately, but excepted in the teams first season.

 

[Fistfullofbeer]

I am curious to see if they will play this hard all year. I feel like they've all been grinding but at times luck/certain moments just haven't got their way whether it be missed shots or losing a soft goal.

I am concerned if we keep losing that heads start to go down along with confidence.

On the plus side, we won't be as hated as Vegas as we'll be 'paying our dues' although there is always haters, especially when we do get good.

That is definitely a thing so .. yeah ..

I also agree that some of the results just have not matched the effort on the ice. Or the puck possession metrics. This team could easily have won 2-3 games more but I feel like brain farts on defense have just cost us goals at the wrong time. Not to sound like I wear Kraken colored glasses but there is no complaining about the lack of effort on this team. They do not give up and fight till the last whistle.

Also, its a valid question to ask about how the losses impact our confidence when we see the results not matching the hard-work. That will really be on the coach and GM to sell this team setting up for long term success and expect this at least till the start of the 2023-24 season. But in that case, it will also be a good idea to move out pieces like Gio, Jarnkrok, one-extra bottom-pairing D-man for picks/prospects.

 

[Scomerica]

That is definitely a thing so .. yeah ..

I also agree that some of the results just have not matched the effort on the ice. Or the puck possession metrics. This team could easily have won 2-3 games more but I feel like brain farts on defense have just cost us goals at the wrong time. Not to sound like I wear Kraken colored glasses but there is no complaining about the lack of effort on this team. They do not give up and fight till the last whistle.

Also, its a valid question to ask about how the losses impact our confidence when we see the results not matching the hard-work. That will really be on the coach and GM to sell this team setting up for long term success and expect this at least till the start of the 2023-24 season. But in that case, it will also be a good idea to move out pieces like Gio, Jarnkrok, one-extra bottom-pairing D-man for picks/prospects.

I do wonder if Driedger was healthy if we get a point or a win in one of Daccords starts. It is what it is though.

 

[Irie]

That is definitely a thing so .. yeah ..

I also agree that some of the results just have not matched the effort on the ice. Or the puck possession metrics. This team could easily have won 2-3 games more but I feel like brain farts on defense have just cost us goals at the wrong time. Not to sound like I wear Kraken colored glasses but there is no complaining about the lack of effort on this team. They do not give up and fight till the last whistle.

Also, its a valid question to ask about how the losses impact our confidence when we see the results not matching the hard-work. That will really be on the coach and GM to sell this team setting up for long term success and expect this at least till the start of the 2023-24 season. But in that case, it will also be a good idea to move out pieces like Gio, Jarnkrok, one-extra bottom-pairing D-man for picks/prospects.

Very good points,and I think this is a slippery slope. The effort has been off the charts so far, and I have been extremely impressed with the energy and the no-quit attitude of this squad.

It's the execution and the mental aspect that is driving me nuts.

You are absolutely correct in saying that they could have won 3 of their losses, but to rely on effort alone and not play as smart as they should be playing is always going to lead to inconsistent results.

Bad/blind passes are regular occurrence on every shift. Over aggressive puck chasing and leaving opponents open and playing out of position by several players has been the norm. Zero communication on ice seems to be an issue as well.

Some of this is nerves, and some of it should start to fade as this team learns to play together, but I also see some bad decisions on the coaching staff.

Could be that the staff is trying to get different looks at players in different situations, but repeating some decisions over multiple games tells me that they are looking more at effort and less at execution when evaluating the game on film. I feel Hakstol is not implementing the players as efficiently as he should be, and instead just plugging guys in randomly and hoping for chemistry without evaluating strengths and weaknesses.

The best teams find a balance between calm smart hockey and sheer intensity hockey. It sounds counter-intuitive, but the 82 game season is long, and trying to maintain the playoff level intensity this team has shown so far over a full season often leads to injuries and will leave nothing in the tank for the playoffs.

 

[CascadiaPenguin]

Oh I remember Mario dragging 3 players skating down the ice with him. “Garage league” was the correct term. I tuned in to watch Mario play- not to watch him be clutched and grabbed before he even got the puck. This is/was Bettman’s NHL. He,philosophically, doesn’t believe in star players being better than anyone else (needs to force league parity).

You get it, my friend. Good luck to the Oilers. Their PP is really great to watch.